RidgeFest, Sept. 8, 9 and 10

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13th annual RidgeFest ready for launch Sept. 8, 9 and 10

Bringing awareness to Ovarian Cancer through research, funding and helping those going through cancer treatment

5th anniversary triad dinner

SEPTEMBER 30 ● 6PM

DINNER & DRINKS CATERED BY 1618 ● DANCE PARTY AFTER SUMMERFIELD FARMS

3203 PLEASANT RIDGE ROAD, SUMMERFIELD GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!

For more information or to purchase event tickets visit www.she-rocks.org/Triad or call 336.866.0003

Merchants of Oak Ridge and the Town of Oak Ridge once again partner on the threeday festival to be held in Oak Ridge Town Park

by PATTI STOKES

OAK RIDGE – RidgeFest, a muchanticipated community festival held annually in Oak Ridge Town Park, has come a long way since the early 2000s, when the Merchants of Oak Ridge (MOR) had the idea to host a one-day event with old-fashioned games and activities geared toward younger children. With an infusion of unbridled energy and enthusiasm, Oak Ridge resident and longtime MOR member Randy Floss took the helm 15 years ago and under his leadership, RidgeFest evolved. The event now draws thousands of kids of all ages to the town park every year over a span of three days. Due to COVID, RidgeFest wasn’t held in 2020, but came back strong last September. “People came back with a vengeance last year,” Floss said in an interview earlier this week. “The number of people attending was way beyond previous years.” With the 13th RidgeFest approaching on Sept. 8, 9 and 10, Floss says he’ll be ready for large crowds again, with more carnival rides and activities, more food and drink vendors, and more designated parking. First, let’s talk about the rides and entertainment. TC’s Amusement Rides out of Rock Hill, South Carolina, will set up and operate 10 carnival rides, two of which will be new to RidgeFest. The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 Younger children will especially enjoy the fun house, inflatable slide, taxi jet and choo-choo train.

A 14-animal carousel will be offered for the first time this year, appealing to kids of all ages.

Other popular rides will include the ferris wheel, musical chair swings, Round Up, Tempest and the “Spinner” (also new this year).

But carnival rides aren’t the only fun things to do at RidgeFest. There will be performances by Destination Arts’ dancers Thursday evening, live music in the park’s amphitheater Friday and Saturday evenings, a cruise-in Friday evening and a MOR Marketplace on Saturday.

But that’s still not all. Also on Saturday, The Summit Church-Oak Ridge will be set up in a large, fencedin area near the Merchants’ midway, where they’ll be throwing a foam party for kids.

What’s a foam party, you might ask? Imagine a heap of sudsy bubbles that you can run through (it’s been described as a “bubble bath without the water”). Heads up: kids may get a little damp, but there will be towels for them to dry off.

Now, let’s talk about the food.

“Food-wise, we lost vendors last year in the 11th hour because of COVID, so some of the lines were really long,” Floss said. He’s hoping the addition of more vendors this year will shorten hungry attendees’ wait time.

In total, there will be seven food trucks offering a variety of “main meal” choices, including Mexican food, pizza, hot dogs and burgers, seafood, barbecue and chicken wings. ... continued on p. 25